Resource ● Last updated 3 February 2021 ● 7 min read
How to change your gender status on formal documents in Tasmania
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What is this resource?
This resource is for trans and gender-diverse young people and their families in Tasmania.
We answer some common questions about updating your gender on formal documents, such as your:
- birth certificate issued in Tasmania
- driver’s licence records
- federal documents:
- passport
- Centrelink
- Medicare records.
To find out more, click on the hyperlink above for the document or record you want to update.
Can you update your gender on formal documents?
On most formal documents, yes. However different documents have different requirements and different gender identity options.
The steps involved depend on whether the document you would like to change is issued by:
- a state or territory government organisation; or
- a federal government organisation
How to update (‘register’) your gender on your Tasmanian birth certificate
Birth certificates are issued and regulated at a state and territory level. This means that the approach to updating your birth certificate to match your gender identity will depend on which state or territory issued your certificate. In Tasmania, this is managed by the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
You can apply to ‘record a change of sex’ in Tasmania if:
you have not applied to record a ‘change of sex’ in Tasmania in the last 12 months, and
- you are aged 16 years or older or your parent(s) or guardian(s) are applying on your behalf, and
- your birth was registered in Tasmania.
You do not need to have had clinical treatment or gender-affirming surgery before updating the sex marker on your birth certificate. However, in some cases you may need to provide additional information to support your application, such as evidence that you have had counselling about the implications of updating your gender.
What if your birth was registered outside Tasmania?
If your birth was registered somewhere else in Australia, you will need to apply to update your gender in the state or territory you were born in. The factsheet for the state or territory that issued your birth certificate will have the eligibility requirements for updating the gender on your birth certificate.
What if you are under 16 years of age?
If you are under 16, your parent(s) or guardian(s) can apply on your behalf.
How do you apply?
- Complete the application form. This includes completing the statutory declaration in Section 2 of the form declaring that you identify as your nominated gender. This declaration must be signed in front of a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner for Declarations (see here for a list of professionals who can witness your declaration).
- If you are aged 16 years or older, you can use the ‘Application to register your gender: 16 years and over’ form.
- If you are aged under 16 years, your parent(s) or guardian(s) can both apply on your behalf using the ‘Application to register your child’s gender: Under 16 years’ form. They must also make a declaration on page 4 of the form that the registration of gender is consistent with your will and preference. These declarations must be signed in front of a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner for Declarations (see here for a list of professionals who can witness).
The application form lets you choose the type of certificate you would like to order (see Section 5). The Registry recommends ordering a birth certificate that includes all registered gender and name change details because this is the strongest form of evidence of identity.
- Prepare your supporting information. You (or your parent(s) or guardian(s) if you are under 16 years), must provide a reason for making the application to register your gender, in Section 3 of the form.
You can attach any supporting documents or additional information that you think is relevant to your application, such as evidence that you have had counselling about the implications of updating your gender. In some cases, the Registrar may ask you to provide this additional information. - Prepare your identity documents.
- If you are aged 16 years or older, you must provide three current identity documents as explained in Section 4 of the form.
- If you are aged under 16 years, your parent(s) or guardian(s) must each provide three current identity documents as explained in Section 4 of the form.
If you are submitting your application via email or post, these documents must be certified.
If you are making your application in person, you must bring originals of your identity documents to your appointment.
- Submit your application, supporting information and identity documents either:
by email to bdm@justice.tas.gov.au
in person by appointment at the Births, Deaths and Marriages office – call 1300 135 513 to make an appointment, or
by post to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
30 Gordons Hill Road
ROSNY PARK
TAS 7018 - Pay the application fees for gender registration and a new certificate. Fees may change. Current fees can be found at https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/bdm/fees.
How to update the gender on your driver’s licence records
The steps to update the records associated with your driver’s licence depend on the state or territory that issued your licence.
What you need to do in Tasmania
There is no sex/gender marker on physical driver’s licence cards issued in Tasmania. However, Service Tasmania records the gender of each person when they apply for a licence.
When updating the records associated with your driver’s licence, you can choose from the following gender options:
- ‘M’ – male.
- ‘F’ – female.
- ‘X’ – this option is available if you don’t identify as either male or female, including if your sex/gender is indeterminate, intersex or unspecified.
If you have not changed your name but want to update your gender on your driver’s licence records:
- You will need to visit a Service Tasmania service centre with an original certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages that shows you have updated your gender.
- You won’t need to make an appointment or complete an application form before you visit Service Tasmania, but you may be asked to complete further paperwork in person on the day.
If you have changed your name and also want to update your gender on your driver’s licence records, you will need to visit a Service Tasmania service centre and apply to replace your Tasmanian driver’s licence. You will need to complete the ‘Driver Licence Application‘ form. You will also need to supply with your application:
- at least three original identity documents (see page 2 of the form), and
- evidence of your change of name (for example, an updated certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages showing that you have updated your name and gender).
If you are interstate or overseas, you can still apply to replace your Tasmanian driver’s licence by submitting an ‘Out of State driver licence renewal or replacement application‘ form. You will also need:
- a current colour passport photo, and
- a copy of your current driver’s licence or passport.
Current fees to replace your driver’s licence can be found at: https://www.service.tas.gov.au/services/transport/driver-and-rider-licences/apply-to-replace-a-driver-or-motorcycle-licence.
How to change your gender on federal government documents, such as your passport, and Medicare or Centrelink records
You can change your gender on federal documents or records by applying to the agency that looks after the document or record that you want to change.
There are Australian Government Guidelines on recognising gender (see the link further below under ‘Where to Get Help and Information’). This means that:
- Federal departments and agencies must take all reasonable steps to correct the gender information in their records to make sure it is accurate, up-to-date, and not misleading.
- You can apply to federal agencies, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Services Australia, directly to change your gender on your personal record, or as shown on your passport.
Do you need to provide supporting documentation?
Under the Australian Government Guidelines, you need to provide one of the following with your request for a change of your recorded gender:
- A statement from a registered medical practitioner or registered psychologist which specifies your gender.
- A state or territory gender recognition certificate or recognised details certificate showing a change in sex.
- A valid Australian government travel document, such as a valid passport, which specifies your gender.
- A state or territory birth certificate which specifies your gender, or a document from an Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages recognising a change of gender.
You do not need to have had surgery and/or hormone therapy for the recognition of a change of gender in federal government records. This means that even though you may not have any related medical procedures, you can still apply to correct the gender information recorded on your personal record. See the Australian Government Guidelines.
| Document | Department | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your Medicare card | Services Australia | If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can update your gender online by signing into myGov or the myGov app. If you don’t have a myGov account or Medicare online account, you can call the Medicare program line, visit a service centre or send a letter via post. You won’t need to provide any supporting documents when you make a request this way. The Medicare contact details are available here. If you update your gender on your Medicare card, this may change the reminders you receive for cancer screening under Medicare. |
| Your Centrelink file | Services Australia | If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can update your gender online by signing into myGov or the myGov app. If you don’t have a myGov account or Medicare online account, you can call the Medicare program line, visit a service centre or send a letter via post. You won’t need to provide any supporting documents when you make a request this way. The Medicare contact details are available here. If you update your gender on your Medicare card, this may change the reminders you receive for cancer screening under Medicare. If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can update your gender online by singing into myGov, or the myGov app. If you don’t have a myGov account, or a Centrelink online account, you’ll need to create these accounts or call Centrelink. You will only be required to provide supporting documents to update your gender if you are either: – updating your gender in your Child Support personal record; or – verifying your identity under an international agreement with Centrelink. If you are required to provide supporting documents, you can provide one of the documents outlined in the Australian Government Guidelines. |
| Your passport | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | For both a new passport and/or to change your gender on an existing passport, you need to start the application process online and then print it for lodgement. For this application, you must also provide one of the documents outlined in the Australian Government Guidelines. If you are providing a statement from a registered medical practitioner or registered psychologist, they must complete DFAT’s Form B-14. If you are in the process of transitioning, you can provide a statement from a registered medical practitioner or psychologist that you have had or are receiving appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. This should be provided on DFAT’s ‘Declaration: sex/gender of passport applicant form’ (Form B14). |
What happens when there is inconsistent gender information in my supporting documents?
If you identify as intersex, or are in the process of affirming your gender, your supporting documents may not be the same and may refer to different genders or gender markers. If this is the case, departments may ask you for more information and supporting documents to confirm your gender identity.
Under the Australian Government Guidelines, departments will prioritise either your passport or the supporting document that is the most recent. The Australian Government recognises that there may be legitimate reasons for holding conflicting documents, for example people who identify as non-binary or intersex may want to hold a passport with a particular binary gender marker to ensure their safety while travelling overseas.
Will every application and outcome be the same?
No. The different departments may have different application forms and therefore varied outcomes around changing your gender identification.
What’s an example?
Services Australia can update your gender as male, female or non-binary for their personal records system. You can also tell them you prefer not to use a courtesy title such as Miss, Mr or Ms.
Whereas…
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can record your gender as M (male), F (female), or X (indeterminate/intersex/unspecified) on your passport. However, the Department notes that those travelling with a passport showing ‘X’ may encounter difficulties when crossing borders due to its infrequent use. In more conservative countries or areas you may become the focus of unwanted attention.
Where to get help and more information
Changing documents:
- Visit the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender.
- The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages provides guidance on updating your gender on your birth certificate, including links to the relevant application forms, which are available by clicking here.
Support:
- The Department of Foreign Affairs offers travel advice for LGBTIQA+ travellers on its Smart Traveller website.
- Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support nationally to parents and those parenting trans and gender-diverse children.
Working it Out is a Tasmania-based gender and sexuality support and education service. It provides direct support, including free and confidential counselling, support groups, education programs and workplace training.
This resource was last updated on 17 April 2026. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Please view our disclaimer for more information.
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